Determination of triazolam and its metabolites 1-hydroxymethyltriazolam and 4-hydroxytriazolam in eight autopsy cases by GC-MS

Triazolam (Trz) concentrations in body fluids and organ tissues of eight autopsy cases were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Blood Trz concentrations in seven out of eight cases ranged from less than 2 to 274 ng/g. The distribution of Trz in various organ tissues could be demonstrated in four cases. These distribution data are useful for cadavers that lack blood in forensic autopsy cases. In addition, urinary levels of 1-hydroxymethyltriazolam and 4-hydroxytriazolam, the main metabolites of Trz, were also determined with and without β-glucuronidase treatment by GC-MS for the eight cases. Using the ratios of urine Trz concentration to blood Trz concentration and the ratios of urine 1-hydroxymethyltriazolam concentration to urine 4-hydrozytriazolam concentration, we proposed a method for estimation of intervals between Trz intake and death, although further studies are needed to corroborate it.